Farmers hear agronomy update at OARDC event

WOOSTER -- Farmers from around Northeast Ohio continued their education about herbicides, cover crops and fertilizers at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center on Jan. 17.

In the first agronomy update session since Extension educator Rory Lewandowski came to the Ohio State University Extension Office of Wayne County, nearly 50 farmers attended to learn what has changed in the industry.

"There's only one constant -- change," field specialist Steve Prochaska said. Prochaska taught two of the informational sessions during the agronomy update, and works in the Marion branch of OSU Extension. "This is an opportunity to hear the latest research-based information ... (And) we provide it to the farmers, and it helps them in the good decision-making for the 2013 cropping season."

Wooster farmer, who plants corn and soybeans, Kurt Rickett, said he attended because his typical routine wasn't working as well as it should have been.

"I had some wheat problems last year, and I used pretty much the same spray program as I did the year before and I didn't have any problems the year before so I had to learn what I did wrong," Rickett said.

Prochaska gave a presentation on weed control, and said the rates of chemicals or herbicides have been altered from what had been doing the job in previous years.

"Looking at the economics of crop production, right now, crop prices are looking strong. I think there's a lot of good opportunities in crop production, so I think it's important to get some of the current information out there and work with that," Lewandowski said.

Prochaska said many missed opportunities are occurring, specifically in Wayne County, due to some of the newer updates that the farming community has to offer.

"Making the appropriate corn hybrid and soybean variety selection (is important.) Every farmer should be choosing hybrids in the top 15 to 20 percent in the corn performance trials," Prochaska said.

In addition to Wayne County, farmers from Holmes County, Franklin County and Richland County attended the agronomy update.

Lewandowski said he wants the agronomy update to become an annual event.

"I thought, 'Boy, if we get 30 (attendees), that would be really good,'" Lewandowski said. "I'd like to build upon this ... and maybe expand the program."

Tyler Grain and Fertilizer of Smithville sponsored the event.

Contact Abby Armbruster at 330-287-1632 or email aarmbruster@the-daily-record.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbyarmbruster.